Worst 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Body Structure
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 41 | 2 | — | 93,622 mi | |
| Body Structure | 17 | 2 | — | 65,649 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | — | 100,500 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | — | 116,333 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 74,000 mi | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery Thermal:Management:Software | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,068,927 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Other GMC Sierra 1500 Years
2012 GMC Sierra 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
What are common problems with the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
How safe is the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
Does the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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